Parents

Thank you for your interest in music lessons. Learning to play an instrument is a complex, valuable skill. As you read, you will notice that parents play a critical role in their children’s success with music lessons. Please seriously consider what you can do to encourage your child to give this their best and to be successful.

VisionThe vision of Academy of Sound is to instill a love for music of various types into today’s children and adults, to prepare students to use their musical skills in practical and fun ways, to encourage students to play out their feelings, emotions, and thoughts through music, and to incorporate music into each life that enters our studios. Our goal is to see each student leave with a deeper understanding of how music plays a part in their individuality, and to see that remain with them beyond our doors.

How You Fit InAlways keep in mind that your full support is a key element in your child’s success with music study. Music achievement requires effort over a period of time. Here are some suggestions for parents:· Schedule consistent, daily practice times for your child.

· Check in with your child's teacher at the end of every lesson. Be present whenever possible. Face-to-face communication is the most effective way we can share details about progress.

· Read your child’s lesson assignment and make sure that each instruction is practiced. · Remain nearby during practice times as often as possible. Acknowledge improvement. · Let your child know how much you enjoy listening to them play/sing. · Let your child teach you what they learned at their lesson. · Praise your child’s efforts and achievements. · Provide a quiet place in which to practice. Turn off the TV, radio, etc. · Encourage your child to play for family and friends. · Offer compliments and encouragement regularly. · Expose your child to a wide variety of music. · Encourage your child to talk with you about their lessons. · Help your child build a personal music library. · Ask your child to make a minimum two-year commitment to music studies. Never use practice as a punishment. Never insist your child play for others when they don’t want to. Never ridicule or make fun of mistakes or less-than-perfect playing. Never apologize to others for your child’s weak performance. Don’t expect rapid progress and development in the beginning.

What About Practice?1.) Natural rewards of practicing – · less frustration · greater musical achievement · higher self-esteem · more exciting lessons · a greater over-all enjoyment of playing. 2.) Home environment helps – · Piano students - Be sure your piano is in tune. My recommendation is once per year, or more if necessary. · Parents can help by acting as partners in their child’s learning process. · Enforce good practice habits, let your child teach you, and be a good listener. We expect all parents to read their child’s lesson assignment sheet/book and make sure each written instruction is practiced. The instrument learning process is an investment in your child’s education. · Encourage use of the metronome. Rhythm and steady pulse are as important as playing the correct notes. A metronome helps.

Music participation provides opportunities for:· Musical event attendance· Family music-making· Performing for and with family and friends· Learning about the lives of the composers and the cultural heritage of civilizations· Composing and improvising music · Participating in various music competitions

If Your Child Loses Interest· Don’t panic. Understand that too much pressure can sometimes be the only reason a child is losing interest in the first place. · Discuss the situation with your child to determine why their interest is declining. · Remember, your child is not the first student to lose interest. Please let me and the teacher know if you notice this so that we can be aware of it.· Talk to me or your child’s teacher to see what might be done to rekindle their interest and enthusiasm. · Encourage your child to stick with lessons for an agreed-upon period of time. · Offer increased enthusiasm and support (especially for younger children).

The Key To SuccessThrough the teaching of music, and more particularly of instruments and voice, our goal is to help each and every student find a love for music in their own way. We hope for them to be able to find some form of self-expression in music. Most of all, we want each student to have fun. If we work as a team (parent, teachers, & student) I believe we will find that this is the key to making the student’s time spent studying music successful, productive, worthwhile, and enjoyable. Please keep in close contact with your child’s teacher throughout the year. We look forward to working with you and your children!